The power of a single phone call...
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Good evening all--
Well, I know I've been yakking a lot about my upcoming trip. :) That's what happens when a girl who doesn't get out much decides to fly over several continents. I've had this trip on the brain lately, but of course, there's plenty of other things going on.
In fact, a few days ago, it was my birthday, and I have to say, it was a glorious day. First off, I got calls from all of my family. Now, this might not sound like much, but in a non traditional family like mine, we're often going eight different way and little things slip by. Honestly, I love this about my family. It means that sometimes you don't get calls on special days, but it also means that you don't get in trouble if you're the one who forgets. :) But on this birthday, everyone called, and not only that, I got an especially great call from my younger brother, who said he was proud of me.
Wow. That one comment, made in a short phone call, was really the best present I got on my special day, and it made me think. Especially now, with True Colors coming out, my book about sisterhood, it was a wonderful reminder. Those of us who are lucky enough to have siblings should always be ready to say "I love you," "I'm proud of you," and simply, "you rock!." So in a pass it on kind of way, here's my tip of the day. Pick up the phone or fire up your email and tell your sister or brother how much they mean to you. It's a simple thing that just may make someone's day.
Aloha!
Kristin
Well, I know I've been yakking a lot about my upcoming trip. :) That's what happens when a girl who doesn't get out much decides to fly over several continents. I've had this trip on the brain lately, but of course, there's plenty of other things going on.
In fact, a few days ago, it was my birthday, and I have to say, it was a glorious day. First off, I got calls from all of my family. Now, this might not sound like much, but in a non traditional family like mine, we're often going eight different way and little things slip by. Honestly, I love this about my family. It means that sometimes you don't get calls on special days, but it also means that you don't get in trouble if you're the one who forgets. :) But on this birthday, everyone called, and not only that, I got an especially great call from my younger brother, who said he was proud of me.
Wow. That one comment, made in a short phone call, was really the best present I got on my special day, and it made me think. Especially now, with True Colors coming out, my book about sisterhood, it was a wonderful reminder. Those of us who are lucky enough to have siblings should always be ready to say "I love you," "I'm proud of you," and simply, "you rock!." So in a pass it on kind of way, here's my tip of the day. Pick up the phone or fire up your email and tell your sister or brother how much they mean to you. It's a simple thing that just may make someone's day.
Aloha!
Kristin
16 Comments:
A belated Happy Birthday!
I'd like to get on my little soapbox and encourage everyone to also think about getting another sibling. You can be a Big Brother or Big Sister mentor - tons of fun.
You can really make a powerful difference in a child's life simply by being there, listening and having some fun!
My sister is 20 and doesn't need me as much anymore so I've been mentoring for a few years. Best times ever!
Not only is it fun, there is proof that the kids are less likely to use drugs or skip school. They also become more confident in their school work.
If your big sib was a good mentor, consider being there for a child who may not have been as fortunate as you.
Ok, sorry about that. Off my soapbox now :)
Well Happy Birthday
Cant't add anythink to Sheila advice.TP most important.Be safe.Take care of each other,and have a wonderful time.So glad your dad is doing well.
Hugs Sharon
I knew Sharon was your mothers name
Later
Oh, happy belated birthday!
My parents call me (early) for my birthday every year. My sister usually IMs me. I think it was my sister-in-law who forgot this year.
I'm actually pretty old school. I love sending mail. Everybody gets cards. I call my family almost every day to the point that they pretty much wish I would call LESS. Still, family tends to tease a lot so it's always a treat when a sincere thought comes across.
Happy B-day Kristin! I love your advice! Have fun on your trip! I'll probably be curling up with Firefly Lane (again.) It was that good even though I cried at the end.
Happy Birthday, Kristin! Thanks for the "pay it forward."
I'd also like to extend a happy belated birthday, Kristin! It's me, Anita the lurker. You've pulled me out again! (; I know all too well how important it is to let your family know how much they mean to you. We suddenly lost a brother two years ago and it has made us (my sisters and brother)realize just how special we are to one another and how special he is to us. Not a day goes by that we don't think of him, and while I believe that somehow he hears us and knows this, it isn't the same as picking up the phone and saying so in person! Tell them all how much you care and don't wait!
I hope you have a terrific time in Africa, Kristin.
Happy very belated birthday, Kristin! Coming from a family who might get you a present on an ordinary day, but might not necessarily consider it needed to give you something for your birthday, I think I know exactly where you're coming from. Makes it all the more special when someone does think of you, doesn't it?
Just before I started replying to these new blog entries of yours, I decided to do what had been playing through my mind during the last couple of busy days: write my friend in Canada a nice long mail to tell her how much I love and miss her. I try and do that regularly, but it helps to be reminded from time to time anyway.
I just wish she would do the same sometime, as she's the one who's really bad at keeping the contact going. She's even more busy than I am, so I understand it's not easy, but already long distance friendships are not the easiest kind and I think spending 15 minutes a week on sending me a quick note could really keep the communication going and would make me a much happier person. She's not a writer, though, so it's hard to get her going on this. And I love her anyway. :)
Actually... I hope our blog replies kinda work the same way for you too. I mean: when I see that someone new replied, I'm like totally excited already (especially when it's the Famous Queen Firefly herself) but it should be even more fun for the blogger herself, I think. After all, it's your life, work, events, trips, ... we're commenting on.
So just in case it didn't work that way until now, I'll add not only a wish for a safe and relaxing yet exciting trip to Africa (and back!), but also a most heartfelt "You rock!". Cuz our fearless leader of the fireflies is not only my hero in the writers' world, but I've also learned from reading all these personal stories here that she's a most genuine and special person inside and out.
Love,
Leen
Almost forgot something! Like Michelle, I'm currently re-reading "Firefly lane" too. Only I'm reading it in Dutch this time. Which means my order from the online bookstore finally came though.
Last Saturday, I gave the second copy to a friend of mine. I warned her, though: she who doesn't believe in long term friendship, might have to change her mind. And she might need some Kleenex too. Not just because she might have gotten some of my germs when she kissed me as a "thank you" for getting the book from me, but also cuz it's one of those books that really make you cry. Or maybe I'm slightly prejudiced because at the time when I was reading the book in English, the story really hit home. I'll let you know about that in the story for the contest, though. Or I'll let you know whether the last couple of chapters still make me cry when I re-read them in Dutch. I just know that I wanna fish writing here, so that I can go back to reading my book, in each case! :)
Love,
Leen
Sheila---
THANKS for that wonderful recommendations. What a lovely idea. Espeically for a lot of us empty nesters who have lots of love left over and no kids at home.
Keep in touch, Sheila!
I'll be back soon--
aloha,
K
Sharon--
thanks for the tp tip! I got it from several of my fireflies and I have to admit that I would never have thought of it. But I'm ready now!
Talk to you all in a month when I get back--
aloha,
K
April---
I am absolutely sure that no one wishes you'd call less. :) That's pretty fun, though. It's wonderful that you're in such close contact with your family. In fact, it gives me a glimpse into why you're one of my most faithful readers. Since my books are pretty much all about family bonds, it makes sense that they'd speak to you. Do you come from a big, noisy family?
I can't waiti to share photos of the trip with you all...
aloha,
K
Michelle--
Glad to hear you're reading it again. I hope it's even better the second time!
aloha,
k
Dear Anita---
thanks again for a lovely and important reminder. My heart really goes out to you and your family. It's wonderful to hear how you all have come together in the face of such a loss. That's what family is absolutely best at--shoring each other up during difficult times. My family is definitely of that kind, too. We might not send birthday cards on time, but when the chips are down, we can totally count on each other and that means everything.
Keep in touch--
aloha,
K
Dear Leen--
Never doubt that you are a very important part of the firefly family. Honestly, you constantly energize every discussion and make us smile and laugh. And this post adds something new--you've talked a bit about enduring friendships and reminded us that we all need to accept our friends' strengths and weaknesses. That's really the only way to stay friends over the long haul. Isn't that what Firefly Lane is all about?
And yes, I love hearing from all the fireflies. Honestly, there wouldn't be a continuing blog without you all. Originally I had planned to stop writing in June or July. I was going to do a nice "I'm going underground to write again; see you in January when the new book is out" kind of thing, but when the time came, I enjoyed talking to you all too much to say goodbye. So here I am, the queen bee blogger who can't shut up. :)
How did your friend like Firefly, btw? And Leen, you rock, too!!!
To my fireflies, one and all, out in the open and lurking quietly in the background...
THANK YOU!!! Keep checking to the blog. I'll try like heck to check in from Africa....
Aloha--
Kristin
Happy Belated birthday, Kristin! What day is your birthday? I'm sorry I didn't realize that it was so close to mine, though, which was the 15th. My husband's is the 23rd, and I think it was fate that brought us together, having birthdays only 8 days apart!
I have a fond and funny memory of a birthday phone call I got on my 30th. My husband was going to take me out to dinner but wouldn't tell me where. Just before we got ready to leave the phone rang. I expected it to be my mom, since she always calls on my birthday. It turned out to be my "little" (well, he's 30!) brother! I was beyond shocked when he told me he was calling to wish me happy birthday! Later my mom called and I thanked her for telling Matthew to call me. She said "I didn't tell him to call you." At this news I was even more shocked because he'd never done that before. In fact, he used to not want to talk on the phone at all-especially when I was away at college and would call home!
Andrea
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